Geopolitics in the Anthropocene

The Sakhalin Project as a Case of Energy Sovereignty vs. Climate Neutrality

Resumo

This article examines the Sakhalin Project as a critical case study of Russia’s climate action amid a shifting international order. Positioned at the intersection of energy sovereignty, climate neutrality, and geopolitics, the project serves as a pilot experiment for Russia’s national climate strategy. The analysis employs a theory-consuming approach, drawing on geoeconomics and two-level game theory, and relies on secondary data to interpret the project’s legal, economic, and technological instruments. The findings show that Sakhalin combines technical innovation with strategic rationality, revealing a hybrid model of climate governance in a sanctioned and authoritarian context. Finally, the article discusses the limits and potential of Sakhalin as an example of “climate sovereignty” in the Anthropocene.